Missed Opportunity

Originally posted by ChessJester
All too often, it is the forcing moves that are the key to combinations. The knight and Bishop moves force certain responses. Look at these moves first because there is less analysis involved, since the enemy has fewer responses. Also, you can look for a goal and work backwards (Like, how can I remove the rook from defending the queen). Always be scanning for potential moves while your opponent is moving.

I'm currently teaching my chess club mating patterns, and trying to get the message across that by knowing the final position that you want, you can dispense with a lot of calculation in a complex position.

Thanks to wulebrg for sending on his excellent mating pattern teaching material.

D

Originally posted by heinzkat
And for solving this/such a problem, one should just set it up instead of looking at it digitally and play out the possible lines. I did not but would have done that, if the answer had not already been revealed. Then you notice such a thing as a hanging Queen earlier as well.

wouldn't it be contradicting the purpose of tactical training? (I mean, if you're training to improve your calculation, why use a board?)

Originally posted by diskamyl
wouldn't it be contradicting the purpose of tactical training? (I mean, if you're training to improve your calculation, why use a board?)

If you prefer otherwise, I will not discourage you. I think it was Kotov or Bronstein (I will probably be corrected here) who recommended never setting up a position, but just working it out in your head from a given diagram to improve your calculation ability.

It's just that "on-screen" I can do less with/see less of the position than on printed paper, and on printed paper less than on the board. Also what setting up all pieces on a board can do, is that you cannot "forget" a piece and its possibilities, as a piece can be "hidden" on a screen. (CTS positions difficulty profit from such "hidden" computerpieces too)